Editorials

Dodgers 2014 Off-Season: SportsNet LA Trending Up, Uribe Not So Much

Juan UribeAs the Winter Meetings wrap up, the Los Angeles Dodgers will likely leave without making a big move in Florida. The team was involved in more rumors than actual deals and will address their needs in the coming months.

With the season a week closer, we take a look at what was trending up and down in the past week for the Dodgers:



Trending Up:

SportsNet LA

The new Dodger network had a busy week, hiring three new analysts for the 2014 season. Last week, the network hired Nomar Garciaparra and continued the trend of hiring former Dodgers with Orel Hershiser and Jerry Hairston, Jr. Hershiser was hired as a television broadcaster, while Hairston will work with the pre-game and post-game programming. 

SportsNet LA also hired Alanna Rizzo from MLB Network to take on duties before and after the games. Rizzo was with MLB Network and previously worked with ROOT Sports Rocky Mountain. The trio join Garciaparra to form a solid crew for the debut of the new television channel.

Matt Kemp

The outfielder’s agent, Dave Stewart, recently said that the General Manager Ned Colletti told him that the team has no plans of trading him. This comes after weeks of speculation that the Dodgers were entertaining offers for the 29-year-old from a few teams.

The team has four outfielders for three spots and have said they would listen to offers. Most people believed that Kemp or Andre Ethier would be traded, but now Kemp seems to be off the table. He missed significant time last season due to injuries, but should be healthy in 2014.

Joe Torre

The former Dodger manager was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame this week by the expansion era committee. Torre was a unanimous selection by the 16-member committee and will go in with fellow managers Tony La Russa and Bobby Cox.

Torre spent three seasons as manager of the Dodgers and led them to back-to-back NL West titles in 2008-2009. He retired after the 2010 season and took an executive position with MLB. He will be inducted next July in Cooperstown, New York.

Trending Down:

Justin Sellers

The infielder began playing the Culiacan Tomateros in the Mexican Winter League and struggled in his first few games. He’s gone 2-13 in three games so far with three strikeouts. Sellers has just two singles and will continue to work on his hitting with the Tomateros.

Sellers has a good chance of making the team next season with the departures of Nick Punto, Skip Schumaker and Jerry Hairston, Jr. The infielder began last season as the team’s primary shortstop but was sent down with hitting struggles. Sellers must show that he can hit decently to make the Dodgers next season.

Juan Uribe

The third baseman may be pushing his way out of Los Angeles with his indecisiveness. Uribe has reportedly received interest from a few teams and has taken his time to make a decision. The Dodgers have been in talks with Uribe and would like to bring him back at the third base next season.

Uribe may be playing hardball with the team to drive up his price. The Dodgers have been adamant about avoiding multi-year deals and Uribe has been said to want more than a one-year deal. The 34-year-old should choose a team soon and will have to hope that the Dodgers keep interest.

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ICYMI: The Dodgers and Brian Wilson agreed to a one-year deal last week

Vincent Samperio

Vince is currently the Associate Editor and Social Media Manager for Dodgers Nation. Hailing from San Pedro, CA and a student at Cal State Long Beach, Vince has previously written for the Daily 49er and LASF Magazine.

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